NHL

Jets-Penguins Preview

Regardless of who's in the lineup, the Pittsburgh Penguins just
keep on winning - especially when they're on home ice.

The same is true when they host the Winnipeg franchise.

The Penguins look to match the longest home winning streak in
franchise history Sunday with a 13th consecutive victory over the
Jets in Pittsburgh.

The Penguins (30-12-1) have reeled off 11 straight home wins
since Nov. 15, their longest since a record 12-game run, set Feb.
22-March 30. During their current streak, a key has been the play
of goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, one of a handful of Penguins who
hasn't had to miss time this season because of injury or
suspension.

Fleury has a 1.80 goals-against average with a .943 save
percentage in his nine starts during the streak. He is 29-3-0 with
a 1.74 GAA in his last 34 games at Consol Energy Center.

Kunitz and Jokinen each scored once in the first period and
Pittsburgh has outscored opponents 9-0 over the first 20 minutes in
its last five home games.

"We obviously got a big start there. That set the tone for the
rest of the game," Crosby told the team's website. "(Fleury) was
good. There were a lot of shots, but he found a way to keep the
puck out of the net for the most part and we capitalized on the
chances we got."

The Penguins have been without center Evgeni Malkin since Dec.
14 because of a leg injury. Defensemen Kris Letang and Paul Martin
are also out, forcing coach Dan Bylsma to constantly adjust his
lineup. Against the Rangers, Jokinen moved to wing on a line
alongside Brian Gibbons and Brandon Sutter, and had his first
multi-goal game since a hat trick on Oct. 8.

"We know at this point there's going to be different
combinations," said Crosby, the NHL's leader with 62 points (23
goals, 39 assists). "With guys out of the lineup like we've had,
it's what we've gotten used to."

Crosby has recorded a point in all but one home game this
season, tallying 11 goals and 23 assists, and now gets to face one
of the NHL's worst defensive teams.

The Jets (19-20-5), who have allowed 121 goals on the season,
have surrendered 21 in their last six road games. Not surprisingly,
the team has lost five of those contests.

Crosby typically frustrates the Jets, amassing eight goals and
11 assists during a seven-game point streak in the series. He also
has five goals and 11 assists in his last five home games versus
Winnipeg.

Like many teams, the Jets have struggled in Pittsburgh. The
franchise, dating back to when they played in Atlanta, has gone
0-10-2 in Pittsburgh since a 4-2 win on Dec. 27, 2006.

This will be the first meeting of the season, and the Penguins
have taken 17 of the last 20 matchups.

The Jets are coming off Saturday's 4-1 loss at Boston. Dustin
Byfuglien opened the scoring in the first period for Winnipeg,
which had 37 shots on goal but went 0 of 3 on the power play.

Winnipeg is 0 of 9 with the man advantage in its last five games
overall.

Member Comments

Please note by clicking on "Post comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be Polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.